Bradawl Tool: Definition, Uses, Parts, Application, Working & Different Types of Tips of Bradawl
What is a Bradawl Tool?
Bradawl Tool: Definition, Uses, Parts, Application, Working & Different Types of Tips of Bradawl :- Bradawl is used for the purpose of marking and boring shallow and small holes or pilot holes (pilot holes guide nails and screws) in woodworks. Bradawl is a hand tool which resembles screwdriver but it is smaller than the screw driver. They consist of a shank, handle and chisel shaped point. The generally used tapered round tip bradawl is shown in Figure.
Uses of Bradawl Tool
They are mainly used for small to medium sizes screws holes. Pilot holes are frequently used because they prevent splitting and splintering, improve hole location accuracy and accuracy of execution, make easier to put screw than unmarked hard surface. Bradawls are similar to the awl but the only difference is that bradawl is flattened at tip for producing sharp chisel edge.
While using bradawl, their cutting edge are placed across grain of the timber for cutting the fibers and are rotated forward and backward for producing small holes which are suitable for the screws or nails.
Parts of Bradawl Tool
1. Bradawl Handle
The handles of bradawl are small in size and fit in the palm. They are shaped ergonomically therefore providing good grip to the user.
2. Bradawl Ferrule
The shank of the bradawl is set straight in the handle of the bradawl and the handle is secured to shank with the help of a ferrule. Ferrule is a cylindrical clamp which is usually of metal and is provided for holding the piece together. Ferrule pushes the wooden handle which avoids the loosening and opening of the shank.
3. Bradawl Shank
The shank of bradawl are generally of small size but there is no specification given for the size of bradawl shank but in general the length of the bradawl shank are taken approximately 1.25 inch.
4. Bradawl Tip
Generally chisel shaped tip is provided to the bradawl which is used for piercing and creating hole in the material.
5. Chisel Tip
The bradawl chisel shaped tip resembles tip of flat head screwdriver. The shank of bradawl was of round shape but by cutting the curved section from opposite of shank form point which is like double beveled chisel.
6. Tapered Square Tip
Square tip bradawl is also known as birdcage awl has their shank of square shape and four sides are taper to a point.
7. Pointed Tip
Pointed tip bradawl is also called as round point awl. At the end of the shank pointed tip is provided. These are tapered down for forming a point.
Different Types of Tips of Bradawl
There are three types of tips of bradawl. For differentiating them from one another, chisel tip are known as bradawl, square tip are known as birdcage awl and pointed tip are known as round point awl. All of them perform same work but the outcomes are slightly different in each case.
1. Bradawl
They have uneven sides which results in movement in two tiers in wood fibers. When the fibers are parallel to the flat edge, then the bradawl pushes them apart but when the fibers are adjacent to the flat edge then it reams the hole. The advantage of both reaming and separating the wood fiber are that huge fibers are left intact for screw or nail to embed well. They bores clean hole therefore chances of splitting of wood are very less.
2. Birdcage Awl
They are similar to the bradawl but their square shaped tip continuously reams the hole in place of pushing like bradawl. Due to continue reaming they create clean hole. Hole is tapered if the point is tapered which are very useful for insertion of nail or screw. They are considered as most effective woodwork tool because they create consistent holes.
3. Round Point Awl
They are used very less and are similar to other awl which is used for stitching awls. They are used in same manner of above two by just twisting and pushing. They separate fibers and make gap with shank. They are easiest and quickest in use but they can cause splitting because when the fibers began to separate, then the separation is encouraged.
Working of Bradawl Tool
For creating the pilot hole with the help of a bradawl following steps are to be carried out;
1. Grip Bradawl
The bradawls are held in palm and grip is made using fingers, thumb and forefinger are used as guide at the handle base.
2. Placing of Bradawl on Wood
Bradawl point is placed on the wood which is intended to create pilot hole. The point is marked prior to this process. If chisel point bradawl is used then their flat edge is placed perpendicular to the grain direction,
3. Pressure Application
Bradawl is firmly pushed into the wood. The Figure shows technique used while pushing the bradawl into the wood.
4. Tool Twisting
The bradawl is twisted forward and backward as the bradawl is pushed in the wood which leads to the rotation of the tool till the required depth is achieved.
5. Removal of Tool
Bradawl is removed from the wood by pulling and twisting for preventing the surface damage.
Applications of Bradawl Tool
- Bradawls are used for marking the holes for hinges of the doors because they are handy for alignment.
- In wooden musical instruments they are used for completing the nailing requirement because the musical instruments require clean finish.
- Pilot holes are required in self threading screw then bradawl is used for creating the pilot hole.
- They are used for very intricate and delicate tasks like on musical instruments and jewelry.
